Switch construction



1945- N. G.'POLGOV 2,394,804

SWITCH QONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. '2, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1946- N. G. POLGOV SWITCH CONSTRUCTION s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 2, 1942 M mw Raw ms? @m [Ill Fell 1946- N. G. POLGOV SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 2, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY flaa MZMWWQ LMZW aw" Patented Feb. 12, 1946 Nicholas G. Polgov, Chicago, Ill,

Delta-Star Electric Company, Chicago,

corporation of Illinois v Application September 2, 1942,. Serial No. 457,017

5 Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to electric switch constructions and it has particular relation to the construction of what are known a air type disconnectin switches.

An. object of my invention is to provide for looking a switch blade of a disconnecting switch in the open position as well as in the closed position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a single means for operating bcthlocking. means and also moving the switch blade to and from the closed position.

Other objects of my invention will, in part, be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in. connection with the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a view, in side elevation, of a pre- [erred embodiment of my improved form of disconnecting switch construction;

Figure 2 is a view, in front elevation, of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view, in side elevation, of a portion of the switch blade shown in Figure 1 and showing the same at an enlarged scale and the details of the locking mechanisms and common operating means therefor;

Figure 4 is a view, similar to that shown in Figure 3', but showing the switch blade in the open rather than the closedposition; and

Figure 5 is a view, in side elevation, of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2,. it will be observed that the reference character l designates, generally, an air type disconnecting switch in which the present invention is embodied. The disconnecting switch I0 is arranged to control the connection between a stud l I which may be connected into a suitable bus structure or the like, and a stud l2 which may extend from a. conventional form of circuit breaker, such as an oil filled or air blast circuit breaker. The stud I I is: carried by an insulator bushing l3 which is suitably mounted on a support structure M. The stud I2, as is conventional practice, extends through an insulating bushing 15 and is carried thereby. The'stud. l2 and the bushing l extend through a wall or cover [6 of the circuit breaker and are suitably mounted as will be readily understood. v

Threaded on the lower end of the stud H is a stationary switch member 20 which, as shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, is provided with a V'-shaped' opening M for redeformed Or raised portion 'blade members 23 and 24 to provide substantially assignor to Ill.,. a

cei'ving a bolt 22 which extends through and holds in place. a pair of switch blade members 23 and 24. It will be understood that the two switch blade members 23 and 24' together constitute. a single switch blade and that they are movable as a unit to and from the switch closed position. The opposite sides of the stationary switch member are provided with contact surfaces 25 for receiving 26 from the switch line contact engagement therebetween as is conventional practice. g

It will be observed that the switch blade members 23 and 24' are pivoted by means of a bolt 30 on a hinge arm 3f that is secured by suitable clamp means to the upper end of the stud l2. The opposite sides of the upper end of the hinge arm 3'! are provided with contact surfaces as indicated at 32' in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings for contact engagement witha circular deformed or ridge portion 33 in each of the switch blade members 23 and 24. This construction provides substantially line contact as will be readily understood.

35' With a view to locking the switch blade mema slot in the bolt 35. A coil compression spring 38 is provided in the slot in the bolt 35, as indicated, between the pin 31 and one end of the slot so as to bias the bolt 35 into the recess 34'. The bolt 35 is provided with a head portion 39 with which shoulders 40 on an operating arm 4| are arranged to cooperate for lifting the bolt 35 out of locking engagement with the recess 34.

The operating'arm 4| is pivotally mounted between the switch blade members 23 and 24 by means of pins 42 which extend transversely therethrough. The movement of the operating arm 4! is limited by the slotted openings 43 therein. An operating eye 44 is provided in the operating arm 4| for receiving the prong of a switch stick which isemployed for opening and closing disconnecting switches and the like when they are energized or likely to be energized.

As indicated hereinbefore it is desirable to lock the switch blade members 23 and 24 in the open position as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. For this purpose a second bolt 48 is provided 24 in the switch closed position, as

which is similar to the bolt 35 previously, de-

scribed. The bolt 48 is arranged to interfit with a recess 49 which is located in the upper end of the hinge arm 3| as illustrated in the drawings.

The bolt 48 is slidably mounted between they which extends through a centrally located slot in which a coil compression spring 52 is also located. The coil compression spring 52 tends to bias the bolt 48- into locking engagement with,

the recess 49.

7 With a view to moving the bolt 48 to the unlocked position a linkage comprising three links 53, 54 and 55 is provided between the switch blade members 23 and 24. It will be observed that the link 53 is pivoted by means of a pin 56 to theoperating arm 4|. The links 53 and 54 are pivoted together by a pin 51. 'A pin 58 transversely extending through the switch blade members 23 and 24 pivotally mounts the link 54 therebetween.

The links 54 and 55 are pivoted together by means of a pin 59., 'In reality the links53, 54

1 and55 each comprise a pair of spaced link members which for convenience are herein termed links.

A pin 68 extends through the lower end of the link 55 and through slots 6| in the switch blade members 23 and 24 whereby it is guided for op-' In the full open position the bolt 48 isbiased by the spring 52 into locking engagement with the recess 49 and thereby holds the switch blade members 23 and 24 in the full open'position. Now when it is desired to close the switch It], the prong of a switch stick is inserted in the eye 44 and a pushing or thrusting force is transmitted through the switch stick to the eye 44 in a direction substantially at right angles to the length of the switch blade,which causes the operating arm 4| to rotate in a clockwise direction. This rotation of the operating arm 4| relative to the switch blade members 23 and 24 is limited by the upper slot 43 as viewed in Figure 4 of the drawings. During this clockwise rotation of the operating arm 4| the motion thereof is communicated by the links 53, 54 and 55 to the bolt 48 and it is withdrawn from the recess 49.' The con tinued application of force to the operating arm 4| then holds the bolt 48 in the unlocked position and causes the switch blade members 23 and 24 to swing in a clockwise direction around the hinge pin 30 to the switch closed position as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Thus, one

continuous pushing motion transmitted through the switch stick first revolves the arm 4| in a eration. The pin extends under one side of a head 62 of the bolt 48 for the purpose of withdrawing the same to unlock the switch blade i members 23 and 24 so as to permit their'inovement'from the open position to the closed position.

In describing the operation of the switch construction herein disclosed it will first beassumed that the switch is in the closed position as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. In

this position'the bolt 35 is locked in the recess 34 and must be withdrawn therefrom to permit 1 opening of the switch blade members 23 and 24. In this position the bolt-48 is in the unlocked po- 1 sition and rides upon the circular upper end portion of the hinge arm 3| as illustrated more clearly in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Now the prong of a switch stick is inserted in the eye 44 of the operating arm 4| and by exerting a pull through the switch stick in a direction substantially normal to the length of the switch blade this operating, arm is rotated slightly in a counterclockwise direction as permitted by the left hand slot 43. This movement ofthe operating arm 4l is sufiicient to pull the bolt 35 down out of the recess 34 and the continued application of a pull-to the operating arm 4| then causes the switch blade members 23 and 24 to rotate about the bolt 35 on the hinge member 3|. The movement of the switch blade members 23 and 24 continues until they occupy the full open position as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. It should be noted'th'at this counterclockwise direction of rotation of the operating arm 4| corresponds to the counterclockwise direction of rotation of the switch'blade as it. swings into open position around the hinge pin 38. Thus, one continuous pulling movement transmitted through the switch stickto'the'apertured'end 44 of the operating arm in a direction substantially at right angles to the length of theswitch blade first rotates the arm4| in a counterclockwise direction and then rotates the switch blade in a counterc1ock-- wise direction to the open position shown in Figure 4.

mounted on a suitable insulator 1|. A lower stationary switch member 12 is providedin alignnected by a switch blade 14.

14 preferably comprises two switch blade memment with the upper switch member 18, and it is carried by a suitable insulator 13. The switch members and 12 are arranged to be intercon- The switch blade bers, similar to the construction previously described. Obviously, if additional current carrying capacity is required, the switch blade M can be duplicated, as desired, to provide the required current carrying capacity between the switch members I8 and 12.

The switch blade 14 is pivotally mounted on the upper switch member 13 by a bolt 15. A bolt 16 extends through the lower end of the switch blade 14 and is arranged to interfit with a V- shaped-opening 11 in the lower switch member '12. It will be observed that theconstruction of the switch blade 14 and its mounting in cooperation with the switch members 10 and 12 is similar to that described hereinbefore in connection 'with the switch construction'shown in Figures 1 through 4 of the drawings. v

. It will be observed that the stationary switch member 10 is provided with two recesses and 8|, corresponding to the closed and open positions of the switch blade 74, and that they are adapted to receive a' bolt 82' which is slidably carried by the switch blade 14. The bolt 82 isv similar to the bolts 35 and 48, previously .described, and includes a coil compressionspring 83 which serves to bias it into blade 74. The bolt 82 is guided on a pin 34' extendingthrough the switch blade 14. Armse85 extend from the inner end of the bolt 32 to permitoperation thereof, as will be presently described.

Another bolt 86, similar in constructionto the bolt 82, just described, is also slidably mounted the recess 88 or 8|, depending upon the position of the switch on the switch blade 'M' and is arranged to cooperate with a locking recess 81 in the lower; stationary switch member 12 for locking the switch blade 14 in the switch closed position.

For the purpose of withdrawing the bolts 82 and 86 from. their respective recesses and for the further purpose of moving the switch blade 14- from and to the switch closed position, an arm 88 is pivotally mounted intermediate the ends of the switch blade M by a bolt 89 extending through the switch blade. The arm 88 is provided with an integrally formedv eye portion 98 for receiving the prong of a switch stick, as will be readily understood, to permit operation of the switch by an operator. The arm 88 is also provided with integrally formed bosses 9'! which are arranged to cooperate with the arms 85 of the bolts 82 and 8B for withdrawing them when the arm 88 is rotated.

In describing the operation of the switch shown in Figure of the drawings, it will be assumed that the switch blade 14 is in the switch closedposition as indicated by the full lines. In order to move the switch blade 14 to the alternate position shown by the broken lines, the prong of a switch stick is inserted in the eye 90 and by exerting an; outward pull on the switch stick in a direction substantially at right angles to the length of the switch blade the arm 88 is rotated in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow 93. At the same time, two of the bosses 9i are rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows 94 and 95 to engage the adjacent arms 85 of the bolts 82 and 88. Continued clockwise rotation of the arm 88 causes the withdrawal of the bolts 82' and 85 from their respective locking recesses 80 and 81 in the switch members Ill and '52, respectively. The switch blade 14 can now be rotated in a clockwise direction to the alternate open position by the continued application of force to the arm 88. When the switch blade M reaches the osition shown by the broken lines, the arm 88 is released and the bolt 82 is operated by its spring 83 into locking engagement with the recess 81 in the upper stationary switch member 18.

It will be observed that a V-shaped boss or ridge 92 is integrally formed with the arm 88 on the side of the switch blade 14 away from the eye portion 99. The purpose of this ridge or boss 92 is to permit the arm 88 to rotate slightly without moving the switch blade 14 so as to insure that the bolts 82 and 86 are withdrawn from their respective locking recesses before any force is applied to the switch blade 14 for rotating it to the alternate position. No movement of the switch blade 14 takes place until the arm 88 has been rotated sufiiciently far to bring one side or the other of the boss or ridge 92 into engagement with the adjacent edge of the switch blade 14.

When the switch blade 14 is to be moved from the open position, as shown by the broken lines, to the closed position, the foregoing sequence of operations is reversed. That is, the arm 88 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction around the pivot pin 89 to first withdraw the bolt 82 from the locking recess 8|. At the same time, the bolt 36 is withdrawn to a position so that it can clear the upper portion of the lower stationary switch member 12 when the switch blade 14 is rotated back in a counterclockwise direction to the closed position as shown by the full lines.

Since it is obvious that certain changes can be made in the foregoing switch construction withpresent invention, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings or described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A switch construction comprising, in combination, a pair of stationary switch members in insulated spaced relation, a switch blade pivoted to one of said switch members and adapted to. be moved into and out of engagement with the other switch member, each of said switch members having a locking recess therein, a first spring-pressed bolt slidably carried by said. switch blade for interfitting with the locking recess in said other switch member to lock the switch blade in the closed position, a second spring-pressed bolt slidably carried by said switch blade for interfitting with the locking recess in said one switch member to lock said switch blade in the open position, an operating arm projecting outwardly and upwardly from the edge of said switch blade, means for mounting.

said arm on the switch blade comprising a pair of laterally spaced slots in said operating arm and a pair of pins carried by said blade engaging in said slots, said operating arm having swivelling movement relatively to said switch blade by virtue of sliding movement of said slots relatively to said pins, and means establishing operating connections between said operating lever and said first and second spring-pressed bolts whereby an outward pull exerted on said operating arm will release and swing said blade to open position; and whereby an inward push exerted on said operating arm will release and swing said blade to closed position.

2. A switch construction comprising, in com bination, a pair of stationary switch members in insulated spaced relation and each having a looking recess therein, a switch blade pivoted to one of said switch members and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the other switch member, a first spring-pressed bolt slidably car ried by said switch blade for interfitting with the locking recess in said other switch member to lock the switch blade in the closed position, a second spring-pressed bolt slidably carried by said switch blade for interfitting with the locking recess in said one'switch member to lock the switch blade in the open position, each of said spring-pressed bolts being of T formation having laterally extending side arms, an operating lever pivotally mounted on said switch blade at a pivot point between said spring-pressed bolts, a first pair of pins projecting from said operating lever for engaging with the two side arms of said first springpressed bolt, and a second pair of pins projecting from said operating lever for engaging with the two side arms of said second spring-pressed bolt, whereby an outward pull exerted on said operating lever in a direction substantially at right angles to the length of the blade will release andswing said blade to open position, and whereby a push exerted on said operating lever in a direction substantially at right angles to the length of the blade will release and swing said blade to closed position.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of a hinge terminal, a contact terminal, a hinge pin carried by said hinge terminal, a switch blade having pivotal mounting on said hinge pin for swinging motion into and out of contact with said contact terminal, switch-open locking means out departing from the scope and spirit oi the switch blade, said operating arm extending lato erally and outwardly fromsaid switch blade to dispose the apertured end of said arm laterally from the adjacent edge of the switch blade and closer to the free end of said blade than the pivot means on which said arm is mounted, whereby an outward pull exerted by the switch stick on the apertured end of said arm in a dime tion substantially at right angles to the length of said switch blade causes said operating arm to pivot relative to its pivot means in the same direction of rotation as said blade revolves on said hinge pin in swinging from closed position to open position, and whereby a pushing force exerted by the switch stick'on the apertured end of said arm in a direction substantially at right angles to the length of said switch blade causes said operating arm to pivot relative to its pivot means in thesame direction'of rotation as said blade revolves on said hinge pin in swinging from open position to closed position, and means for transmitting motion from said operating arm to said switch-open locking means and to said switch closed locking means.

4. In an electric switch, the combination of a hinge terminal, a contact terminal, a hinge pin carried by said hinge terminal, a switch blade having pivotal mounting on said hinge pin for swinging motion into and out of contact with said I contact terminal, spring pressed switch-open looking means for locking said blade to said hinge terminal in the switch open position of said blade,

spring pressed switch-closed locking means for) locking said blade to'said contact terminal in the switch-closed position of said blade, an operating arm moving with said switch blade and provided with an apertured end to receive a switch stick,

said arm having pivot means for pivotally mounting it on said switch blade, said operating arm extending laterally and outwardly from said switch blade to dispose the apertured end of said arm laterally from theadjacent edge ofthe blade and closer to the free endof said blade than the pivot means 'on which said arm is mounted, whereby an outward pull exerted by the switch stick on the apertured end of said arm in adirection substantially at right angles to the length of said blade causes said operating arm to pivot relative to its pivot means in the same direction of rotation as said blade revolves on said hinge pin in swinging from closed position to open position, and means for transmitting releasing motion from said operating armto said switch-open locking means and to said switch-closed locking means.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a,

' on said blade on pivot means which permits said arm to pivot selectively in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction from a normal postion relatively to said blade, said operating arm having an actuating end adapted to be engaged by a switch stick or the like for actuating the switch, and means for transmitting motion from said operating arm to said switch-open locking means and to said switch-closed locking means, said operating arm extending laterally and outwardly from said switch blade whereby when the switch blade is to be moved in a counterclockwise direction from one position to another a preparatory counterclockwise rotation is first transmitted to said operating arm for releasing one of said locking means, and whereby when the switch blade is to be moved in a clockwise direction from one position to another a preparatory clockwise rotation is first transmitted to said operating arm for releasing the other of said looking means.

NICHOLAS G. POLGOV. 

